Travian Robertson Talks NFL Draft Prep

On Monday night's "Inside the Roost" radio show host Derek Scott and Athletics Director Eric Hyman were joined by defensive lineman Travian Robertson to discuss participating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February, last week's Pro Timing Day, and his preparations for the NFL Draft later this month.

For Robertson, the Combine was a first chance to go out and give it his best for scouts. Unfortunately, his Combine experience was somewhat limited after sustaining a groin injury while running a 40-yard-dash. However, he was able to complete that 40 as well as the broad and vertical jumps to turn in solid measurements. He was disappointed that he wasn't able to participate in the position drills which he feels are "the most important thing that scouts look for."

Fortunately he would have a second chance to show the scouts what he could do on the line. He joined several other former players at South Carolina's Pro Timing Day on March 28 and was able to participate fully in front of scouts and personnel from all 32 NFL teams. He said all the players were really excited to see each other again and to be "back together at home."

Robertson noted that it was a "piece of cake" to perform at Williams-Brice because they're used to going out on the field and playing in front of 80,000 fans. Robertson reported that he ran his 40s in an average time of 5.3 seconds, but he is not overly concerned with the actual times. Robertson joked that "you don't see too many defensive lineman running a 40 in a football game," and mentioned that several coaches don't stress the 40 for his position, but would rather see flexibility and strength. To help give him an edge, Robertson has been working out in Suwanee, Georgia, at WPI (Wellness Performance Institute). He has focused mainly on his pass rush, an area in which he believed he needed to show scouts the most improvement.

In addition to the Combine and Pro Timing Day, Robertson has had other opportunities to showcase his skills. After the Gamecocks' Capital One Bowl win, Robertson was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game in mid-January. Though he knew an all-star game was a big opportunity for exposure to scouts, especially during a full week of practice, Robertson got more from the experience than increasing his draft stock. He stressed that the most important thing about the Shrine Game was helping the kids and getting a chance to visit them at the Shriners Hospital.

Even with a potential NFL career on the horizon, Robertson is just as proud of a big accomplishment off the field. Robertson earned his degree in Criminal Justice last May. When people asked him last year why he didn't leave South Carolina early for the NFL Draft, he said that "would've been the stupidest thing to do because I wanted to graduate and make my parents proud."

"This NFL experience is going to expire. Football is going to expire. That piece of paper, I don't think it'll ever expire," Robertson stressed. "I'll keep that for the rest of my life."

Right now for Robertson, it's a waiting game which he deems well worth it, having learned a lot from the experience. He noted there are "guys that played at USC that didn't get their names called on draft day, [but they] made a team and are very successful today." Robertson's main goal is just to make a training camp so he can put in the work to earn a spot on a team.

"It'd be nice to hear [my] name called on draft day," Robertson admitted. "But at the end of the day you still have to put in the work."

When asked if he had a particular team in mind, Robertson said growing up he watched the Carolina Panthers, but that he'd be "blessed and proud to represent any team that calls my name or gives me a phone call."

The NFL Draft is April 26-28; make sure to tune in and keep an eye out for Travian and all our Gamecocks hoping to hear their names called!